Cole, at last, feels comfortable in defensive line coach Jim Washburn's wide-nine scheme, which he spent most of last season adjusting to.

"It took me to the end of the year to really catch on. I struggled with it," Cole said. "Not just me, I can talk for other people as well."

It's a common theme from Eagles defenders coming off a disappointing 8-8 record. As high as expectations were last season, we saw the new pieces on this roster stumble out of the gate. Nnamdi Asomugha and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie were learning on the fly in the defensive backfield, and Cole was doing the same up front.

A full offseason has helped. Philly's deep stable of defensive tackles and edge rushers make the Eagles a good bet to improve upon last season's sack total. Cole is one of the most entertaining rushers in the game; paired up with Babin, they represent a mega-headache for opposing quarterbacks. Nineteen sacks is quite a prediction, but Cole is part of a improved defensive unit that could help make that possible.